Rogers, it's time to take a partner.

Next week, the National Dance Theatre of Bermuda is sponsoring another five-night session of its highly popular ballroom dance classes. And even if the setting of the Bermuda High School doesn't quite mesh with images of Fred and Ginger, there is plenty of room to move around. Most certainly, the inspired tuition of Tom Ralabate is guaranteed to set your feet a-flying. The former US Latin Ballroom Dance Champion will be making a welcome return as guest teacher.

Besides learning the finer points of the waltz, fox-trot and quick-step, participants will tackle the tango, samba and other dances of South America.

Says Dance Theatre administrator, Mrs. Conchita Ming, "These classes are always very popular -- last time they were overbooked. When we first decided to run them, we had no idea it would be something that would go on and on. But ballroom dancing is something that people really seem to enjoy. You can get really involved, instead of just being a spectator, and anyone can do it. You don't need any particular talent.'' Since the classes began in 1988, a wide range of people have signed up -- and returned each year -- to do the course. "We have all ages, from schoolgirls to senior citizens,'' says Mrs. Ming, "Even my husband goes. We have beginners and seasoned dancers. It's a great stress reliever -- for an hour and a half, you just dance, and don't have to worry about anything!'' She believes that their decision to run the classes has "spurred on'' the island-wide revival of interest in ballroom dancing.

The National Dance Theatre became involved partly because the company wanted the public to realise that, as a dance company, it was not elitist and specialised: "We wanted to reach out and do something that would appeal to and involve everybody,'' explains Mrs. Jean Hannant, who is chairman of the board of the company.

"It's really become a community thing, where people have fun together, and become friends,'' she adds.

Rather to their surprise, the classes have also turned out to be a fund-raiser. "It covers expenses of the company workshop which Mr. Rabalate runs for our members, and we find that the people who sign up for the classes become very supportive of our other ventures,'' says Mrs. Ming.

Mr. Ralabate, who is an assistant professor of dance at the University of New York at Buffalo, also teaches jazz and tap classes to the Dance Theatre students during his stay. One of his works, Company Jive, was choreographed for the company in 1989 and is still in their repertoire. In the US, his work has been featured at the North East Regional Ballet, Studio Arena Theater, the state televised Miss New York and Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageants and the nationally televised Dance Fever Show.

Mrs. Ming says that participants in this year's ballroom classes should remember to wear comfortable shoes -- "but not sneakers, because we have to be able to slide and glide along the floor!'' As usual, she adds, everyone will be asked to dress up on the last night: "We try to end up with something a little special.'' The ballroom dance classes will take place from Monday, November 8 through Friday, November 12 in the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Bermuda High School from 8 to 9.30 p.m. Cost is $75 per couple, $50 per person for five lessons.

The classes are limited to 85 people, so early reservations are advised.

Telephone 295-3147 days, 236-3142 evenings.

BALLROOM MAESTRO -- Tom Ralabate demonstrates one of the finer points of ballroom dancing to well-known local dancer and choreographer, Barbara Frith.

ONE, TWO, THREE -- STEP -- Tom Ralabate, former US Latin Ballroom Dance Champion, shows his Bermuda students how to "trip the light fantastic'' at his Ballroom Dance Classes.